The Memorial Day weekend is upon us. Do you have big plans? Living in Southern Indiana by Louisville there are many activities all weekend close by us. My favorite is picnicking with family and playing games.
How much do you know about Memorial Day? It is much more than the Indy 500 and unofficial start of summer or three day weekend. Even more than playing games and picnicking with beloved family. The first Memorial Day was May 30, 1868.
This was a day for people to decorate graves of Civil War soldiers and originally known as Decoration Day. Unfortunately, grievously the United States lost many men during that horrible war against itself. Approximately 620,000 died during the Civil war. That is a staggering number. 620,000!
May 30th was chosen because no Civil War battles were fought that day and flowers across the nation would be in full bloom to decorate the graves. It remained that date until 1971. Then it became a federal holiday known as Memorial Day and was changed to the last Monday of May giving people a three day weekend.
In honor of those who died, the American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day. It should then be raised to the top. Since 2000, all Americans have been encouraged to stop for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. 
Red poppies are a symbol of remembrance for those who died in war. People, men and women, wear them to honor those who died in war. Especially on Memorial Day you will see a lot of red poppies.
Scouts can be seen placing flags on the graves in the National Cemetery. What a great honor for a young scout to do this. I have a grandson that does this. His Dad is a former Marine so he is very respectful of our military.
This Memorial Day think about your life, your freedom, and how you are privileged to live. Without those that unselfishly gave their lives defending our country, our freedom, and us, what would our lives be? Very different indeed.
Memorial Day is a time to remember those that gave all for our country, for us. It is our responsible to take care of what and who was entrusted to us and honor our military and especially God. We need to keep remembering and pass those memories on to teach our children. Children need to learn about our holidays… that they are more than a day off and that our country and freedom were paid for with the blood of brave men and women. There is a price for freedom.
We live in a great country with strong roots. Many people have lived and died for this land of ours. Let us always remember you brave soldiers. Those that stood and stand between us and the enemy. Pray for them, our leaders, and our country. May God continue to bless America.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” Proverbs 14:34 NIV
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